Having not read a book in my free time since middle school, quarantine seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin expanding my personal library again. Through many book recommendations from friends and sifting through good books and more mediocre books myself, I complied this list of must read books for you this quarantine:
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
http://thequirksofenglish.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-lord-of-flies-beast-within-all.html
Let's start off our list with a classic: Lord of the Flies. I know, most of you have had to read this book at some point or another in English class. But if you are like me, and have not read this book in the name of academia, it is certainly a must read. Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of young boys stranded on an island. Without adult guidance, they create their own rules to keep "order". However, the world these boys create for themselves ultimately becomes violent and brutal without any authority or reminders of what is considered civil. Through the lives of these boys, the book examines humanity on a larger scale by depicts the two conflicting parts of every being: the good and the bad. If you are a sucker for the classics with a larger meaning, this book is the one for you!
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
http://www.miwarren.org/books-brew-banter-salvage-the-bones/
Salvage the Bones is hands down one of my favorite books of all time. Maybe it the beautifully complex writing or the intriguing and unique plot that makes this book stand out among the many, but it is truly one you won't want to skip reading. Salvage the Bones portrays the life of a middle class family in Mississippi through the eyes of a teenage girl named Esch. The book tells a story of poverty, sexual abuse and violence, strained familial relationships, and finally, loss in the face of a hurricane. Following this family as they prepare, endure, and face the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this story is able to interlace tragedy and hope in a strikingly compelling way. Be prepared to speed read this masterpiece, you won't ever want to stop!
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St James
https://theunknowableuniverse.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/book-review-the-haunting-of-maddy-clare-by-simone-st-james/
In the mood for something a little bit scary? The Haunting of Maddy Clare tells the story of a woman named Sarah, who impulsively takes a job to assist Alastair Gellis, a ghost fanatic, investigate the haunting of Maddy Clare. Leaving her dreary and dull lifestyle behind, Sarah takes on the largest role in communicating with the ghost of a nineteen year old girl who committed suicide in her employer's barn. Interlaced in this ghost tale are stories of love, loss, and bravery. Filled with twists and turns, this book had me absolutely hooked (I read it in a day and a half)!
Normal People by Salley Rooney
https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/normal-people-ending-tv-show-book-a4431196.html
Yes, if you recognize this title from scrolling through Hulu, you are not wrong. The show that you may have binged in the matter of 24 hours was first a book. Normal People is set in Ireland, revolving around the relationship of two characters, Connell and Marianne, over time. Living in different social and socio-economic spheres, this book shows how complicated romantic relationships can be in a new light. Different from romance novels filled with drama, elaborations, and seemingly impossible attempts at making love work, Normal People tells its story through a very "real" and "normal" lense. The books shows the complexity of love as two people grow together and apart. And yes, after you are done with the book, please do watch the show on Hulu!
Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
https://wonderfullybookish.co.uk/the-handmaids-tale-margaret-atwood/
If you are deciding to read this one, you are in store for a roller coaster story. The dystopian novel, Handmaid's Tale, follows the life of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, a state that has overthrown the United States of America. Gilead has been constructed around preventing low birth rates, assigning Handmaids to bear children for couples of high status that are unable to conceive. Handmaid's Tale explores the role of women in a patriarchal society and the ways in which these women fight for their individuality and independence in a world that limits them. This book is raw, heart-wrenching, and will undoubtedly keep you wrapped up in its horror.
